Pelletizers for 2–35.000 kg/h

The pelletizer cuts the polymer strands into pellets in the cutting chamber, which is completely filled with water, immediately after they have passed the die plate. Because of the high temperature difference between melt and water, the cut polymer drops solidify immediately into the characteristic spherical form of underwater-cut pellets (spherical form depends on the product viscosity).

The different types of BKG pelletizers work with a throughput of 2–35.000 kg/h. The designation of the pelletizer models refers to the method used to obtain cutter pressure. With type A pelletizers the pressure is regulated using a hand-wheel with micro metric adjustment. With pelletizers of the types AH and Compact the cutter pressure is automatically controlled by means of a hydraulic system.

The pelletizers are equipped with a flexible shaft head upon which the cutter assembly is mounted. The arrangements compensate for any misalignment between the cutter assembly and the die plate cutting surface.

Cutting chamber with die plate

The die plate is designed according to customer requirements and the specified material. H eating is provided electrically or by means of fluid transfer, oil heating. Oil-heated die plates are frequently used for higher material throughputs or for micro-pellet production. The hydraulic system fully automates the forward feed of the cutter shaft (higher force during start-up and step-by-step reduction down to minimum force during regular production). This assures a constant production because the optimum application pressure is reproducible.

Also the blades at the die plate can be re-ground to predefined values to level the blade wear occurring during production and to guarantee that the cutter maintains optimal contact with the cutting surface of the die plate. The pelletizers are equipped with a flexible shaft head upon which the cutter assembly is mounted. The arrangements compensate for any misalignment between the cutter assembly and the die plate cutting surface.

Also the blades at the die plate can be re-ground to predefined values to level the blade wear occurring during production and to guarantee that the cutter maintains optimal contact with the cutting surface of the die plate.

Centrifugal pellet dryer incl. exhaust blower

The centrifugal pellet dryer separates process water and pellets which move helically because of the fast rotation of the dryer and the angled rotor blades, upwards to the top of the dryer and are leaving the dryer continuously through the pellet outlet. Because of the rebound effect and the counter current airflow generated by the exhaust blower the pellet outlet moisture is designed for less than 0.05% depending on the type of polymer and reduces hygroscopicity to a minimum.

Agglomerate catcher

At the first production step upstream of the pellet dryer, this agglomerate catcher prevents pellet clusters (agglomerates) entering the rotor area of the dryer. Inside of the agglomerate catcher housing the pellet/ water mixture passes inclined angled bars which are filtering bigger agglomerates. These are leaving the system via a flapper gate actuated by a photo-electric eye.

Pellet diverter valve (optional)

This pneumatic operated pellet diverter valve is mounted at the dryer outlet and allows for example the elimination of low quality pellets during start-up or sampling of pellets during production.